GROUP NINE
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IN A race against the clock, Brothers coach Adam Vanzanten yesterday revealed the club is pushing to clear at least two new recruits in time to play in the $12,000 West Wyalong Knockout on Friday.
Refusing to divulge the identities of the prospective recruits, Vanzanten insists the Brethren is poised to sign off on some "handy" players to debut at the annual two-day rugby league carnival at Ron Crowe Oval.
"We're keeping a lid on (the team) until they're cleared but hopefully we'll be able to use them at West Wyalong," Vanzanten told The Daily Advertiser yesterday.
Along with star Group 20 recruits Noa Fotu and Travis Lightfoot, Vanzanten is confident the Brethren will be fully equipped for the famous pre-season competition with the addition of the mystery players.
Taking the first chance to unleash his new-look team, Vanzanten said the Brethren have been overhauled by a rigorous pre-season regime and he cannot wait to debut the new faces alongside the revived regulars.
Having coupled with former NRL star Adam Perry to coach the Brethren this season, Vanzanten is adamant Group Nine can expect a completely new outlook from the team this year.
"I think you can expect them all to be pretty fit," he said.
"There's been some steps we've been taking this week to put us in the right direction, setting up our patterns and putting some things in place.
"Brock Dunn would have to be the main improver, though. He's certainly been putting in the effort and he's been working really closely with Adam Perry on his dummy-half work.
"His communication around the dummy-half area and his play around the ruck has be great at training."
Despite a disappointing season, the Brethren dazzled in the West Wyalong Knockout to make the semi-finals last year.
However, Vanzanten is adamant the Brethren have the staying power to go beyond last year's achievement.
"It's the old clich , we'll be concentrating on our own game and put things in place for us that we've been working on since last year," he said.
"Obviously it would be great to do well and get some prize money for the club before the start of the season but it's really just a good trial for us to see where we're at and how our process is coming along.
"I'd love to make it to the second night by winning the first game or make it to the semi-finals like last year, that would be great and it's something I think we're very capable of doing."
Brothers will take on West Belconnen in the first round at 8.15pm at Ron Crowe Oval on Friday night.
A full 25-man squad is expected to be announced tomorrow.
Want to know what teams are playing and when? Here's the West Wyalong Knockout draw.